vexation

noun vex·a·tion \ vek-ˈsā-shən \

Definition of vexation

1 :the quality or state of being vexed :irritation

2 :a cause of trouble :affliction

3 :the act of harassing or vexing :troubling

See vexation defined for English-language learners

See vexation defined for kids

Examples of vexation in a Sentence

the problems and vexations of everyday life
the repeated vexations guaranteed that she wouldn't get any work done

Recent Examples of vexation from the Web

China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Liu Jieyi, hinted at his country’s vexation with North Korea in his Security Council remarks after the vote.

— rick gladstone, New York Times, "U.N. Security Council Imposes Punishing New Sanctions on North Korea," 5 Aug. 2017
The exchange, in a Maryland murder case in which both families knew well the vexations of mental-health struggles, laid bare a shared pain.

— dan morse, Washington Post, "‘Do you remember?’ Daughter confronts mentally ill woman who killed her mom," 26 July 2017
Media observers have often repeated this quotation with vexation and alarm, but the events of Donnygate reveal a more insidious reality behind the statement.

— vanityfair.com, "How Donnygate Reveals the True Similarity Between Trump and Putin," 11 July 2017
Media observers have often repeated this quotation with vexation and alarm, but the events of Donnygate reveal a more insidious reality behind the statement.

— peter savodnik, The Hive, "How Donnygate Reveals the True Similarity Between Trump and Putin," 11 July 2017
The appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel in the Trump-Russia matter will spell vexation in the medium term and may spell danger in the long term.

— david frum, The Atlantic, "What Does the President Owe, and to Whom Does He Owe It?," 18 May 2017
Just a mention of public lands is enough to set Smith and his father, Wiley, off, venting about their years of vexation in dealing with the BLM and Forest Service.

— amanda paulson, The Christian Science Monitor, "The new range war," 7 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vexation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.